ELDERLY Christchurch residents are urging charity collectors to avoid door-knocking after dark and frightening them.

The group of residents from Hampshire Close, just off Suffolk Avenue in Fairmile, said recent visits from charity collectors looking for signatures or other similar requests late in the evening had prompted them to call for more consideration from representatives.

Last week, two men representing the PDSA had been in the road asking for signatures for donations for a dog food campaign the PDSA will apparently be running soon.

Residents say the men returned later that evening to visit the people who had not answered their door the first time they came round.

“It’s just very unsettling,” said Joan Fisher, one of the residents of Hampshire Close.

“There are so many elderly people who live in Christchurch.

“It’s just common sense and consideration.

“A couple of residents have been burgled in the past and for them it is especially unsettling.

“A lot of people also live alone and wouldn’t dream of opening the door if they didn’t know who it is.”

When one of the residents telephoned the PDSA shop in Christchurch High Street she was told the charity representatives could collect up until 8.30pm, but that this wasn’t the first complaint they had about the door-to-door visitors.

Jumpers ward councillor Fred Neale added: “I’ve experienced the same thing in my road.

“I actually called the police because I was concerned at the way they were going about it.

“Two of them were knocking on doors and then moving onto the next house immediately before giving anyone a chance to answer.

“It just looked a bit suspicious.

“I’m sure that many people feel this way and I don’t think it should be allowed after 6pm.

“It doesn’t seem to matter if you have a sticker saying please don’t call here. They just ignore it.”

Cllr Neale added: “Residents should call the police if they are concerned.

“The more reports and aware they are, the better.”

A PDSA spokesperson said: “We are sorry to learn of complaints regarding our evening door-to-door fundraising activities.

“The fundraisers do call in the evening, up to 8.30pm, to try and speak to potential donors who are not at home in the day.

“Unfortunately this will not always suit everyone, and we are sorry if this has caused any concerns.

“Our fundraisers are trained to take extra care in the dark evenings so that elderly residents are not disturbed.

“We will do our utmost to ensure local people are not inconvenienced or upset as a result.

“Anyone who wishes to make a formal complaint can contact PDSA’s supporter services on 0800 019 9166.”